A whelping box is extremely important piece of equipment for the novice dog breeder. Without one, it’ll be almost impossible for you to produce puppies naturally – there are too many tasks you need to be doing at the same time. If you’re tight in terms of space, having a product that folds up easily into an area of only a few square feet could be essential for you.
Important things to keep in your mind while looking at boxes for whelping
Size/Capacity: Most boxes provide a suggested size range for dogs. The larger, the better but if your dog is outside of that size range, is it working for you? Are the puppies full-grown before they are able to leave?
Cleanliness: the majority of baby boxes are made of plastic. They are very easy to clean, but they will not fit into your dishwasher. Are they too big for your kitchen counter space when folded up?
Quality Of The Fasteners/Attachments: some whelping boxes are just flat pieces of plastic, with no real method to attach anything. Others have simple velcro attachmentsthat tend to wear away as time passes. Other snaps are heavy-duty, industrial-strength snaps. Find out which one is most suitable for your specific situation.
Foldability/Portability: if you are tight on space, and need something that will fit into a small room when not in use (ie: living room), then portability may be an important feature for you. You need to look for the box that folds easily and is able to be moved around.
Could It Be Utilized During Breeding Season to train a Dog?
If you’re planning on breeding your dog having an training tool that can not easily transformed into a whelping container can be a hassle. You should employ the same tools you do for the whelping of puppies, just as you would to breed – so if this one tool can’t accomplish both tasks, find another.
Do The Puppies Have Enough space to move around? The puppies need to be able to move freely throughout labor. The pups could become stuck if there isn’t enough space for them to move around. A good whelping container for dogs will have enough space to allow the mother to easily pivot, and there’s not a huge gap which the pups could get stuck within.
There are many other factors to think about when choosing containers for whelping your dog. These fundamentals will help you make an informed choice.
Whelping boxes are a great way for breeders to keep an eye on the dog who is pregnant and ensure a safe delivery. The whelping boxes will keep the puppies safe from animals or children who could inadvertently harm them. The boxes can be very beneficial even after the birth, as they let you monitor the mother as well as her pups.
But, high-end whelping boxes aren’t cheap. It is possible to purchase one with removable covers if you aren’t planning to breed your dog however, you’ll need a durable whelping box enough for training purposes.
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